25 January 2011

Wofford Rides Into the US Chef d'Equipe Arena - by Nan Rawlins

Jimmy Wofford has entered the increasingly crowded pool of candidates for the job of US Eventing Chef d'Equipe.  With the application deadline looming (Jan 31), Wofford joins the already announced candidates Virginia neighbor and current Canadian Chef and USEF President David O'Connor, and the dynamic duo of Pennsylvania's Phillip Dutton and North Carolina's Robert Costello, who plan to divide the position's duties between them.

Jimmy Wofford (56) has ridden in three Olympic games and two World Championships, giving him an incredible wealth of High Performance experience form which to draw. He hopes this experience garnered while riding for the legendary Jack Le Goffe will help him propel the team back to the medal's podium.

As a successful teacher, Wofford has coached many riders to the very top of the competitive ladder, including such Eventing notables as the O'Connors, Kim Severson, and Gina Miles.

Wofford, speaking to Chronicle of the Horse, says he  has been preparing for this move for quite some time, dropping any sponsorship deals, closing his teaching program, renting his barn and asking for a leave of absence from his monthly column in Practical Horseman Magazine.

He says he has a clear plan of action to propel the US back to the podium -- in fact he envisions US domination of the sport.  He also envisions a development of a training system for Eventing squads similar to the highly successful George Morris system for Jumpers.





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